Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2020
CHARACTERISTICS AND PROGNOSIS OF TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER PATIENTS: A CROATIAN SINGLE INstitution RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) occurs in around one-sixth of all breast cancer (BC) patients, with the most aggressive behavior and worst prognosis of all BC subtypes. It is a heterogeneous disease, with specific molecular characteristics and natural dynamics of early recurrence and fast progression. Due to the lack of biomarkers or any valid treatment targets, it can only be treated with classic cytotoxic chemotherapy. ⋯ Patients were treated with primary surgical approach, adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant irradiation. We observed a relatively large proportion of locally advanced TNBC at diagnosis, with large tumor size and nodal involvement, with high grade and high proliferation index Ki67. Patient age, tumor size and lymph node involvement, as expected, were significant and clinically most important prognostic factors for 5-year disease-free survival (67%; 95% CI 60%-75%) and overall absolute survival rate (74%; 95% CI 66%-81%).
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2020
Case ReportsGIANT CAVERNOUS MALFORMATION WITH UNUSUALLY AGGRESSIVE CLINICAL COURSE: A CASE REPORT.
Giant cavernomas (GC) are rare lesions, with less than 50 cases reported so far. Clinical presentation usually involves epileptic seizures and less typically focal neurological deficit, due to repeated hemorrhages and GC mass effect and consequentially increased intracranial pressure. Although individual cases have been reported, due to the rarity and variable imaging appearance, GCs are usually not considered in the differential diagnosis of large hemorrhagic lesions, especially when significant mass effect is present. ⋯ Histopathologic analysis result was cavernoma. GC should be considered as an option in hemorrhagic lesions, especially in the young age population. Emergency surgery for mass lesions is not uncommon in neurosurgery; however, bleeding cavernomas are usually planned for elective surgery due to the specific approach and complications.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2020
Observational StudyMANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CARDIAC IMPLANTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES UNDERGOING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - PROPOSAL FOR UNIFIED HOSPITAL PROTOCOL: CROATIAN WORKING GROUP ON ARRHYTHMIAS AND CARDIAC PACING.
For many years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was contraindicated in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). Today, there is a growing amount of evidence that MRI can be performed safely in the majority of patients with CIEDs. Firstly, there are devices considered MRI conditional by manufacturers that are available on the market and secondly, there is clear evidence that even patients with MRI non-conditional devices can also undergo MRI safely. ⋯ However, the majority of physicians are still reluctant to refer these patients to MRI. Therefore, this document is published as a joint statement of the Croatian Working Group on Arrhythmias and Cardiac Pacing and Department of Radiology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre to guide and ease the management of patients with CIED undergoing MRI. Also, we propose a unified protocol and checklist that could be used in Croatian hospitals.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2020
PREVALENCE OF THROMBOCYTOSIS, THROMBOCYTOPENIA, LYMPHOCYTOSIS AND LYMPHOCYTOPENIA IN PATIENTS WITH LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION AND PATIENTS WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTION.
There are many reasons for abnormal lymphocyte and platelet counts. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia, lymphocytosis and lymphocytopenia in patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and patients with urinary tract infection (UTI). This retrospective study included 52 LRTI patients and 60 UTI patients. ⋯ No statistically significant relationship was found between the groups of subjects and platelet count. Seven (11.7%) UTI patients and four (7.7%) LRTI patients had lymphocytopenia but there was no statistically significant relationship between the groups of subjects and lymphocyte count. Study results suggested a conclusion that lymphocyte and platelet counts could be within the normal ranges in patients with UTI, as well as in those with LRTI.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2020
ORTHODONTIST CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND CLINICAL SITUATION SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCE THE RETENTION PROTOCOL - A SURVEY FROM CROATIA.
The aim was to assess the views and practice of Croatian orthodontists concerning retention protocols. A total of 150 questionnaire copies were distributed, of which 92 were validly completed. The survey included sociodemographic characteristics, practices of informing patients about retention options, commonly used appliances, and reasons for choosing a particular type of retention and treatment duration. ⋯ Modus of acquiring knowledge, biological reasons (malocclusion type, oral health, treatment outcome, and growth) and the patient's wishes were not a predictor of retention duration or recall frequency. With an increase in orthodontic experience, the duration of retention decreased and orthodontists were more likely to change the duration of retention (p=0.001), as well as the type of retention appliance (p<0.001). In conclusion, retention protocols among Croatian orthodontists were influenced mostly by their clinical experience and clinical situation.